The wicainventory.exe file is usually safe and does not harm computers. However, some people may find it over-utilizing their CPUs and slowing down their machines.
Most people worry when they see the .exe file extension.
Many .exe files have the potential to harm your computer, but that doesn’t mean all of them do. In order to identify whether the executable file on your computer is malware, you need to know all about it.
Here, we’ll discuss the wicainventory.exe file and all the errors associated with it.
What Is wicainventory.exe File?
The .exe extension stands for executable files. They mostly belong to the windows operating system. In this case, they aren’t that concerning. As for wicainventory.exe, it’s short for Windows Install Compatibility Advisor Inventory Tool. It’s a file that belongs to Microsoft Windows Operating System.
You shouldn’t get alarmed when you see it on your computer; it’s a vital part of your Windows update, and it rarely poses a threat. However, it causes the CPU to work double as hard. That’s the main reason why a lot of people hate it.
That’s aside from the fact that it may attack your PC if your Windows isn’t original. Pirated versions of Windows are likely to corrupt your system files later on. Not to mention that they open backdoors to your system.
What Are the Errors Associated With wicainventory.exe?
All errors associated with wicainventory.exe are runtime errors. Meaning, they’re triggered when the Windows is running because this is when wicainventory.exe starts loading.
In most cases, the error occurs when the Windows is starting, which aborts the process from the very beginning.
Sometimes the error may occur when the Windows is already running. This will cause it to terminate and stop working. Until you fix the errors, the Windows won’t turn on.
These errors can occur for a number of reasons. For starters, it could be a conflict with third-party plug-ins. Alternatively, it can happen due to poor Windows programming or using outdated hardware. Not to mention that the file itself could be corrupted, which is the most common reason.
In all cases, the Windows will fail at locating the file while starting up. You won’t be able to work your PC, and you’ll receive a message before it shuts down.
Typically, you can avoid all of these issues by keeping your antivirus up-to-date. You should also scan your PC regularly to detect any lurking threats before they can take hold. However, if you don’t have an antivirus, there are alternative solutions.
How to Fix Errors Associated With wicainventory.exe
If you don’t have an antivirus, you should get one as soon as possible, but that’s not what we’re here to talk about. If you already have a runtime error bothering you, we’ll help you fix it. Take a look at the steps below.
Step 1: Restore Your Computer
The first thing you should do is restore your computer to the latest point before the error occurred. This step is relatively easy: you’ll merely be required to open the start button of the Windows. Afterward, type “System Restore” in the search bar and press Enter.
When the results appear, click on “System Restore”. It’ll require you to enter your administrator password if you have one. This step will appear in all newer versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
In the System Restore Wizard, Windows will walk you through a bunch of steps. Follow these steps and pick the backup point you want. The computer will then restore to that system image. If nothing happens, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Run System File Checker
This step aims at restoring the wicainventory.exe file, whether it’s missing or corrupt. The System File Checker is a program that’s included in every Windows version currently in use. It’ll scan your computer and restore the missing system files.
The first thing you’ll do is open the Start button. Then, type “cmd” in the search box. But this time, you won’t press Enter alone; You’ll hold Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
A dialog box will appear. When it does, click Yes. A black screen with nothing but a blinking cursor will then become visible. Click on it to activate the keyboard and type “sfc/scannow”. Afterward, press Enter to get it working. The checker will then get in action and scan your computer. This phase requires some patience; the scanning procedure will likely take a lot of time.
Once the System File Checker determines the wicainventory.exe errors, it’ll give you some commands that’ll help you proceed with the process. The error should be solved by then. If it’s not, proceed to the last step.
Step 3: Update Your Windows
Updating your Windows version is your last resort to fix the wicainventory.exe errors. Otherwise, you’ll have to opt for advanced solutions, which isn’t applicable to all users. Furthermore, this step will solve any errors associated with outdated Windows Systems, which might be causing a series of other problems.
Firstly, click on the Windows Start button. Type “Update” in the search bar and click Enter. The Windows Update dialog box will appear; click on “Check for Updates”. This button may differ according to the Windows version installed on your computer, but it’ll hold the same meaning.
If you find updates available, it’ll likely be the reason for the runtime errors. Click on “Install Updates” and leave your computer to update on its own. After it’s done with the update, restart It and hope for the best!
How to Prevent wicainventory.exe Errors
Although wicainventory.exe issues are pretty common, that doesn’t mean you can’t avoid them. There are a couple of things to do if you don’t want to encounter such issues.
Clean Your Computer
If you want to keep your computer safe, you should treat it as if it’s your room. Tidiness is the key to avoiding wicainventory.exe issues. Doing this is also fairly easy. You’ll just have to run periodic scans on your computer. Additionally, you should use Disk Cleanup to clean your hard drive. This includes uninstalling the programs that are of no use.
On top of that, you should check your computer for Autostart programs; they could be the reason for your issues. You should also enable the Windows’ automatic update. It’ll save you the hassle of having to install the update yourself. Not to mention that it’ll prevent the errors associated with outdated versions.
Remember the Last Thing You Did
To prevent your Windows from shutting down while you’re working, you should remember the last thing you did beforehand. You should recall if you installed a program from a random source, or if you turned your antivirus off. In both cases, you’ll be able to take action, such as deleting your recently installed program or activating an anti-malware software.
Get Software Assistance
No matter how far you go trying to find the root cause, your efforts may not pay off. Some things are better left to software to deal with. There are some Windows programs that’ll help you with your wicainventory.exe issues.
For example, Security Task Manager will show you all the current tasks running on your Windows. This includes hidden programs, such as Autostart ones. So, you’ll be able to easily identify a trojan if there’s one hiding in the background.
On the other hand, a program like Malwarebytes will search for sleeping adware and keyloggers. Then, it’ll automatically remove the ones that are harming your Windows. It can also detect any hidden tracker on your hard drive. If you use it regularly, you’ll reduce the chance of a runtime error appearing.
To Wrap Up
No one likes to come across the message that says ‘this program is not responding’. Worst of all, Windows will likely shut down afterward, and any work you have running will get lost. That’s why you should deal with wicainventory.exe with caution.
It’s not harmful on its own, but it could eventually become a malware if it gets corrupted. Additionally, you should take extra care if you installed your Windows from an inauthentic source.